We’ve all been there. Standing outside a building on campus, digging through your bag for your UT ID, only to realize it’s sitting on the counter at home. One thing most of us almost never seem to forget — our phones. With this in mind, The University of Texas at Austin is launching a digital ID initiative aimed at modernizing how students, staff and faculty access resources and perform daily tasks on campus.
Launching during the 2027-28 academic year, digital IDs will be delivered via MyUT to your digital wallet and provide access to buildings, campus dining and retail, event entry, library services and more.
Spearheaded by UT Student Government President Hudson Thomas and Vice President Thierry Chu, the initiative is something students have sought since 2019. Their administration passed the legislation for digital IDs, officially putting the process in motion.
“For years, students called for digital IDs, and together, we delivered,” Thomas and Chu said in a joint statement. “We are honored to have had Student Government partner with our incredible University administrators to make this long-standing student vision a shared reality.”
Students overwhelmingly prefer to tap their phones rather than use physical cards. In fact, the Federal Reserve reports that adults age 24 and younger use their digital wallets for almost half of all purchases. Transitioning to digital IDs at the University helps bring the digital experience students prefer to campus.
The Digital ID initiative will also be more cost effective. For students, that means no more fees for lost IDs, and the University will reduce card production expenditures as well. Unlike physical cards, digital credentials reduce the risk of loaned or shared cards because they are tied to a personal device and can be updated in near real time — enhancing both convenience and security. Over time, the platform will enable additional capabilities, creating new opportunities to tap to access services, make purchases, and engage with campus resources directly from a mobile device.
Led by Enterprise Technology, the initiative is currently in the feedback and discovery phase, with design and development to follow before its launch during the 2027-28 academic year. Digital IDs will be available on both Apple Wallet and Android Wallet in tandem with physical IDs, allowing for a smooth transition while the Longhorn community becomes accustomed to using the digital ID.
Learn more on the digital ID initiative website.
